Democrat Tom Suozzi has won the special election to replace expelled former GOP Rep. George Santos, defeating Republican Mazi Pilip and further narrowing the GOP’s House majority. This victory provides a boost to President Joe Biden’s party as the general election campaign approaches.
Suozzi’s win offers a positive narrative shift for Biden and Democrats, coming at a time when concerns over the president’s poll numbers and age have raised worries about a potential rematch with former President Donald Trump.
Despite the district’s strong support for Biden in 2020, Democrats had been struggling to win there until this election. The race for New York’s 3rd congressional district saw significant investment from both parties.
Key Points Disclosed (Credits: CNN)
However, Democrats’ fundraising and registration advantages, coupled with Suozzi’s long-standing presence in Long Island politics and a motivated base following the Santos fiasco, led to his victory. This outcome will make it even more challenging for the House GOP to maintain cohesion.
For Pilip, who plans to run again in the fall, defeat came with a swift rebuke from Trump, who criticized her as a “very foolish woman.”
Pilip had faced scrutiny for not disclosing her 2020 vote for Trump and for aligning with him on issues like the bipartisan Senate border bill, which Suozzi used to tie her closely to the former president during the campaign’s final days.
